His Guilty Pleasure

Chapter Thirty One

Dad went home early because Leanne's mother is sick. Dad has been calling me a lot, he wants to know if I've made a decision. I haven't thought about it because it's stressful. Too many people get hurt with either decision.
I eat my cereal, watching mom sip her coffee and eat a bagel. She's forgiven me for my little runaway tactic but something is on her mind. I wonder what could be bothering her.
"Honey?" She says, still sipping her coffee.
"Yeah?"
"You like him?"
A sweat breaks out across my skin and down my back. Maybe she thinks it's Luke, I could ask who and see.
"W-who?" I say, no longer wanting fruit loops.
She looks up at me, staring. I hold eye contact because I learned long ago that if you blink or look away, it'll make you look weak and guilty.
"I don't know, truthfully. You like someone though because you're acting the way you did when you liked Benny."
Ben, my eleventh grade boyfriend.
I could make up a boy as Joe, then, if anything was suspected; Joe wouldn't come to mind.
"Actually, I like this guy..John. I met him one day when I went walking and we just clicked. Is that weird?"
She smiles, probably satisfied that I'm telling her something. Whether it's real or fake.
"Oh that's wonderful! So you won't leave with your father?"
That's what's on her mind. I drop the act, frowning, "There isn't a guy mom. Why didn't you tell me?"
"I can't compete with your father, you love him."
I roll my eyes and place the cereal bowl in the sink. She's so irrational.
"I love both of you. I have a weak spot for dad."
"That's why you're willing to move with him."
Davie walks through the front door, smiling.
"Get dressed. I want to have a family day." He says, throwing his suitcase down. Mom gets all giddy and jumpy, I throw Davie a smile and he accepts it.
"No dresses! We're going to the amusement park."
Inside my heart does somersaults. Mom winks at me and I give her a real smile, I gotta give it to Davie, he's cool when he wants to be.

•••••••••••••

I wish I had invited Luke. This is absolutely boring. Davie totally tricked us into a business meeting and Mom is sulking too. She sucks it in better than me. I watch Davie talk to the man while Mom talks to his wife. They have a kid around my age and two little ones. I tried to engage but these kids are too proper. They don't even get on the rides, "too dirty," the little boy said. Shame.
"You smoke?" The older boy says, taking his headphones off.
"Me? Uh. No." I shake my head. He scoff, spitting beside me. I want to punch him or even smack him but that wouldn't end well.
"Ya pops used to be married to my mom." He says.
"That's not my pops, and I don't really care."
I eye his mom and she looks distressed. Mom talks to her as if everything is great. My phone rings and Joe's code name pops up. I quickly slip away from the boring crowd, answering it, "Joe!"
"Hey baby girl. Let me take you somewhere. Anywhere but here?"
I can hear him chuckle softly and the wind in his car.
"Where are you, brat?"
"The amusement park."
"And you're not having fun?"
"Davie came for business. We can't actually get on rides."
I groan and he laughs. I want to run my fingers through his hair and kiss his soft lips.
"Babe? You're not listening."
"Huh?"
"I said, tell your mom you're leaving and meet me in the back. Stay focused. I'll see you then."
He hangs up before I can defend myself. Now, time to lie my way out the shit pot.